JP2009000546A - Layer arranged on implant for bone or tissue structure, such implant, and method for application of the layer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a layer, which is arranged on implant for bone or tissue structure, and intended to construct a boundary or a barrier between the implant body and the structure for reinforcing retention, and has a substantial thickness, and to provide an implant having the layer. <P>SOLUTION: A layer 2''' is arranged on an implant 1'' for bone or tissue structure 5. The layer constitutes a boundary or barrier between the actual or unoxidized body 1'' of the implant and the structure for the purpose of increasing retention and has, in this context, a substantial thickness T'. The layer is designed with a channel network 6 which gives the layer a substantial porosity. The channel network is designed with mouths 3' 4' which face towards the structure and whose respective cross-sectional diameters D, at the surface 2a' of the layer facing towards the structure 5, are substantially less than the respective extents (e.g. H) of the channels in and down into the layer as seen from the surface 2a'. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is intended to constitute a boundary or barrier between the body and structure of the implant for the purpose of enhancing retention and can be placed on an implant for bone or tissue structure and Relates to a layer having a substantial thickness in context. The invention also relates to an implant having such a layer and a method for producing said layer on the implant.

  In connection with implants, it is already well known to place porous surfaces and oxide layers on titanium-based materials for various purposes and purposes. Depending on the objective, it has been proposed to use a very wide range of oxide thicknesses extending above a few angstroms. Purely and generally in various publications such as “Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Vol. 27, 895-900 (1993)” by Dunn et al. -4V orthopedic material release "and" Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Vol. 29, 65-72 (1995) "by Ishizawa Hitoshi and Sugano Makoto," Ca and P-containing anodized titanium membranes " Reference can be made to "Formation and properties". Reference can also be made purely generally to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,330,891 and 5,354,390, and to European patent application 95102381.1 (676179).

  Considerable resources are expended in research and development aimed at producing implants that can improve the process of integration of implants in bone and tissue structures such as the jawbone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is based on the recognition that the oxide layer structure used in this context can have a decisive influence to improve the implant placement and integration process. In the prior art, there was no collective understanding of the actual build-up of the oxide layer structure and it was necessary to be able to use very thick oxide layers, at least in some circumstances. The object of the present invention is primarily to solve this problem.

  In connection with the application of implants in bone and tissue structures, it is important to establish proper corrosion resistance and to avoid the occurrence of brittleness, for example in connection with the use of hydrogen fluoride (HF). It is also important that the oxide layer be able to remove or largely cancel the mechanical stress concentrations of implants attached to bone or equivalent, such as residual internal stresses that can occur in relation to the etched surface. It is. A further requirement and requirement is an improved process of implant integration in bone or tissue. The present invention also solves this problem.

  In connection with implants, in some cases (ie, in one embodiment), bone growth initiation and bone growth stimulants and substances, such as those belonging to the TGF-β superfamily, can be used. It is important that the drug or substance can be applied to the implant in a technically simple and economically advantageous manner. The present invention also solves this problem and process through a novel oxide layer structure, a suitable replenishment station that can be used in long-term and optimal bone growth situations, and the integrated function of the implant in bone or equivalent.

  When producing thick oxide layers (eg 5 to 20 μm thick) it is important to be able to provide a technically reliable and economically advantageous method. The present invention also proposes a method that satisfies the conditions for producing such an oxide layer. This method is based on the recognition that the electrolyte components and / or voltages used can be of critical importance.

Solution Features that can be regarded as primarily characterizing the layer according to the invention are that the layer is designed to have a channel network that gives the layer substantial porosity and that the channel network is directed towards the structure. Designed to have a mouth, each cross-sectional area of the mouth at the surface of the layer facing the structure is substantially smaller than the respective length of the channel extending down into the layer as viewed from said surface It is.

  In a preferred embodiment, the channel network comprises adjacent channel branches that extend through at least the majority of the layer as viewed from the surface and into the transition to the body of the implant. The layer can be established on a wavy or non-uniform surface that is initially present on the implant and has a high roughness value (eg 0.4-5 μm) for the purpose of increasing the volume of the layer. . The channel network can also have channel branches extending in a direction different from the depth direction of the layer (or in the radial direction of the implant). The layer has a thickness that provides significant corrosion resistance to the previously proposed oxide layer structure. In one embodiment, the channel network can also be arranged with a mouth configuration facing the bone or tissue structure, allowing increased release of bone growth material from the channel network through the mouth. The layers can be given an average thickness according to the appended claims. Suitable values for the size of the surface area of the mouth of the channel network, the total volume of the channels or pores in the layer, the surface roughness, and the porosity are likewise indicated in the appended claims.

  The implant according to the invention is mainly designed so that each layer present in the implant has a channel network that gives the layer substantial porosity, and that the channel network has a mouth facing the structure. And is considered to be characterized by the fact that the respective cross-sectional area of the mouth at the surface of the layer facing the structure is substantially smaller than the respective length of the channel extending down into the layer as viewed from said surface be able to.

  In one embodiment, the implant can consist of a screw implant for application to bone, such as dentin. In a further embodiment, the oxide layer may form a bone growth initiation or bone growth stimulator or substance replenishment station to be applied. The drug or substance can be transferred from the replenishment site to the bone or tissue structure by concentration diffusion, which can be optimized by the mouth configuration of the channel network facing the bone or transition structure. In a preferred embodiment, the layer consists of or includes a titanium oxide layer.

  The method according to the invention starts from the anodic oxidation of the implant material. This method primarily involves adding a dilute inorganic acid, dilute organic acid, and / or a small amount of hydrofluoric acid or hydrogen peroxide to the composition of the electrolyte used in the method, and an energy source at a voltage of at least 150 volts. Characterized by choosing to work with values. Thus, for example, voltage values in the range of 200 to 400 volts can be used.

  In a preferred embodiment, the voltage varies from time to time for the same implant to form different channel or pore sizes within the same surface area of the implant. In further embodiments, different porosity or pore or channel characteristics can be obtained by changing the position of the implant in the electrolyte, along with the choice of electrolyte composition and / or voltage used. The oxide thickness can also be varied by the parameters.

Advantages The above proposed results in an improved implant placement process, and by using the upper limit of the proposed range of the proposed oxide layer thickness, the present invention has been previously accepted in the art. Against the notion, thus opening a new path in this field. Concentration diffusion associated with bone growth initiation and the use of bone growth stimulators can be significantly facilitated by the proposed channel tissue structure. Implants with finished oxide layers with specified properties are commercially available, and the new method meets the conditions of economically advantageous layer production and implant production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Presently proposed embodiments of layers, implants and methods according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an illustrative embodiment of a titanium oxide layer produced on an implant body and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the oxide layer starting from a relatively flat surface of the implant body.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the position of an oxide layer on a wavy surface or a surface having high roughness.
FIG. 3 is a plan view from the outside showing an example of the mouth configuration of the channel network arranged in the oxide layer.
FIG. 4 shows a channel network of oxide layers generated on the implant body, applied to the bone and / or tissue structure of the human body where the oxide layer bonded implant is partially shown, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a diagrammatic representation showing that there is a channel network with a mouth configuration facing the structure inside.
FIG. 5 is a side view of an apparatus for anodizing an implant.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the voltage and current functions used in connection with the oxidation process.
FIG. 7 is a table showing parameters for forming various titanium oxide layers.

Detailed Description of Embodiments In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a component of an implant body. As will be explained below, the implant body has been treated with an oxidizing function, with the result that an oxide layer 2 is formed on its outer surface. The oxide layer can be formed on a relatively smooth surface structure from the beginning, as indicated by 3 in FIG. The oxide layer 2 has a considerable thickness T. The layer can take values between 0.5 and 10 μm, with values near the upper limit of this range being preferred. According to the present invention, the invention mainly functions in the range of 2 to 10 μm, but values as low as 0.5 μm can be used in certain exceptional cases. The outer surface 2a of the oxide layer must have a roughness in the range of 0.4-5 μm. As explained below, the oxide layer 2 has a high porosity and encloses a particular type of channel network.

  FIG. 2 shows an example different from that of FIG. 1, in which an oxide layer 2 'is placed and compared on the implant 1' obtained in a manner known per se (eg etching) after the production of the implant. Is formed on a surface structure 3 'having a particularly high roughness. The embodiment according to FIG. 2 satisfies the condition of a relatively higher oxide layer volume than the case according to FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows the ports 3, 4 leading to the channel network described above from the outside of the oxide layer 2 ″.

  1, 2, and 3, each figure shows a length of a scale or dimension of 10 μm in the lower right corner.

  In FIG. 4, the implant is indicated by 1 "and the oxide layer produced on the implant is indicated by 2" '. In FIG. 4, the bone or tissue structure is shown symbolically at 5. The structure can consist of, for example, a jawbone that allows the implant to be screwed into the bone or equivalent. The implant can therefore consist of or comprise a titanium material, which means that the layer 2 "" is composed of a titanium oxide layer. The screw or thread of the implant is not shown in FIG. 4, but reference may be made to the prior art and known implants already disclosed. The corresponding screw in the jawbone 5 is also not shown, but reference can again be made here to the prior art. The oxide layer 2 ′ ″ designed to have a considerable thickness T ′, for example in the range of 5 to 25 μm, is provided with a channel network symbolized by the arrows 6. In accordance with the above, the channel network has mouths or openings 3 ', 4'. The channel network branches down and / or within the oxide layer as viewed from the outside 7 of the oxide layer. The channel network includes various channel parts, e.g. The channel path consists of various channel parts and is established through a channel network running from the outside 2a 'of the layer 2 "" down or in the direction of the transition between the implant and the oxide layer. Such communication channel formation is established by the channel portions or channel branches 12, 13, 14, 15 in the figure. A feature of the channel or pore formation according to the present invention is that the surface area or diameter D of each mouth is substantially smaller than the respective channel boundary or pore depth, eg, pore depth H. In accordance with the above, the depth of the pores or the depth of the channels can be considerably increased, for example to match the thickness T ′. The channel can extend in the direction of the depth of the oxide layer 2 ′ ″ and / or in a different direction or in the radial direction R of the implant. The channel branch or channel portion can be straight and / or curved, and the curved channel branch is shown at 16 in FIG.

It will be appreciated that such a channel system can constitute a replenishment station for substances that stimulate and / or initiate bone growth. This is represented by 17 in FIG. The substance thus introduced into the channel moves into the bone or tissue structure by concentration diffusion, as represented by arrow 18 in FIG. Correspondingly, bone or tissue can enter the system in connection with the diffusion. The mouth can be given various sizes, and the specific penetration function of the mouth structure can create the conditions for bone growth, and the degree of integration of the implant within the structure. It will be understood that it contributes. A highly porous oxide layer having pores (channel ports) of 1 × 10 ⁷ to 1 × 10 ¹⁰ pieces / cm ² can be formed. The diameter size can be selected in the range of 0.1 to 10 μm, and the same surface area of one of the oxide layers can have pores or channel ports of different diameters or surface areas. The total volume of the channel network according to FIG. 4 can be selected within the range of 5 × 10 ⁻² to 10 ⁻⁵ cm ³ .

  The titanium oxide layer according to the above is preferably generated by so-called anodic oxidation which is an electrochemical process. The principle and procedure for generating the layer will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 5, a container is shown at 20. The titanium anode is indicated at 21 and the porous mesh cathode is indicated at 22. A titanium anode Teflon insulator is shown at 23 and the anode extends through the Teflon cover 24. A magnetic stirrer 25 is also included. Mounting parts for the anode and cathode are also indicated by 21 'and 22', respectively. The implant or implant part to be produced is preferably machined mechanically by turning, milling, grinding or the like. The implant or component includes a titanium surface that is treated with an electrochemical process. The implant or component is mounted on a holder that is immersed in a bath in a container of electrolyte 26. The untreated part of the implant is masked by a liquid-tight protective sleeve, or alternatively, the untreated part is lacquered. The implant or said part thereof is in electrical contact with the mounting part 21 'above the surface of the electrolyte via the holder. In the electrolytic solution, the cathode 22 functions as a counter electrode. The counter electrode is made of a suitable material such as Pt, gold, or graphite. The counter electrode is preferably mounted on the holder so that the entire device is fixed in the electrolyte bath 26 jointly. Anodization is obtained by applying a voltage between the implant / implant part / multiple implant parts and the counter electrode, thereby applying a positive potential to the implant or part or parts thereof. The implant, the implant part / multiple implant parts, the counter electrode, and the electrolyte constitute an electrochemical cell where the implant or its respective part forms an anode. The potential difference between the implant / implant component and the counter electrode causes a flow of electrolytic ions of negative (positive) charge in the implant or implant component (counter electrode). If the electrolyte is properly selected, an oxide layer is formed on the implant or on the surface of the implant component as a result of the electrolytic reaction in the battery. Since gas is also formed as a result of the electrode reaction, the electrolyte should be stirred in an appropriate manner, which is done with a magnetic stirrer 25 to prevent gas bubbles from remaining on the electrode surface.

  The formation of the titanium oxide layer and its final properties are affected by a number of process parameters such as electrolyte composition and temperature, applied voltage and current, electrode geometry, and processing time. The method for forming the desired layer is described in more detail below. Examples are also given of how process parameters affect various properties of the oxide layer and how the oxide thickness and porosity can be varied.

  In order to achieve the desired layer properties, one can start with a machined surface that can be turned or polished, for example. Cast or pressed implants or implant parts can also be used. In order to remove impurities from previous production stages, the surface is cleaned by a suitable method, for example ultrasonic cleaning in an organic solvent. The cleaned implant or cleaned implant part is fixed to the container, and the container is fixed on the holder together with the counter electrode. The device can then be immersed in the electrolyte. The two electrodes are then coupled to a voltage source (not shown), a voltage is applied, and the process begins. The process is stopped by interrupting the application of voltage after the desired time.

  The voltage can be applied in various ways. Compare also FIG. In the constant current process, the current is kept constant and the voltage can be changed by the resistance of the battery, whereas in the constant potential process, the voltage is kept constant and the current can be changed instead. The desired layer is preferably formed by using a combination of constant current and constant potential control. Constant current control is used in the first stage and the voltage is increased to a preset value. When this voltage is reached, the process switches to constant potential control. Due to the resistance of the oxide layer formed, the current drops in this state.

  FIG. 6 shows the evolution of current 27 and voltage 28 over time. The exact appearance of the curve depends on various process parameters and also reflects the formation of the oxide layer and its properties.

  Depending on the electrolyte, a relatively thin oxide layer (<0.2 μm) can be obtained up to a specific voltage. The thickness of the oxide layer depends almost linearly on the applied voltage and not on the processing time after the maximum voltage is reached. These layers are basically closed and have a partially open porosity only in exceptional circumstances. For most electrolytes, the critical voltage is about 100 volts.

  In order to achieve the desired porous oxide layer, it is necessary to apply a fairly high voltage exceeding 150 volts, typically 200-400 volts, depending on the electrolyte. At these voltages, the oxide thickness is no longer linearly dependent on the voltage, and instead a much thicker layer can be produced. For certain electrolytes, the oxide thickness at these voltages also depends on the processing time after the maximum voltage is reached. Suitable electrolytes for achieving a porous layer using this method include dilute inorganic acids (eg, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chromic acid) and / or dilute organic acids (eg, acetic acid, citric acid), or mixtures thereof. is there.

  Implants treated with sulfuric acid have a surface with a high density of open pores. About 20% of the surface consists of pores or channel / channel branches with a size (diameter) preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 μm. The thickness of the layer can be 2 μm. Implants treated with phosphoric acid have a similar pore density. The pore size distribution can vary considerably. In the case shown, the pore size is preferably selected within the range of 0.3 to 0.5 μm, but there can also be a significant number of large pores (up to 1.5 μm) on the surface. . The thickness of the oxide in this embodiment is 5 μm.

  The table according to FIG. 7 shows the structure of the oxide layer created in this way with various process parameters. The parameters shown are electrolyte composition, voltage (volts), current (mA), time, pore diameter, pore density, porosity, and oxide thickness.

  The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example, but can be varied within the scope of the claims and the concept of the invention.

1 is an illustrative embodiment of a titanium oxide layer produced on an implant body, and is a longitudinal sectional view of the oxide layer starting from a relatively flat surface of the implant body. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the example of the position of the oxide layer on a wavy surface or a surface with high roughness. It is a top view from the outside which shows an example of the opening | mouth structure of the channel network arrange | positioned in an oxide layer. The channel network of the oxide layer generated on the implant body is shown and applied to the bone and / or tissue structure of the human body where the implant with the oxide layer bonded is partially shown and structured within the oxide layer It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a diagram representation showing that there is a channel network having a mouth configuration facing toward. 1 is a side view of a device for anodizing an implant. FIG. Figure 6 is a graph showing voltage and current functions used in connection with an oxidation process. It is a table | surface which shows the parameter for forming various titanium oxide layers.

Claims (18)

  Which can be placed on an implant (1) for a bone or tissue structure (5) and constitutes a boundary or barrier between the body of the implant and the structure for the purpose of increasing retention and In a layer (2) having a substantial thickness (T) in context, the layer (2) is designed to have a channel network (6) that gives the layer substantial porosity, and The channel network (6) is designed to have a mouth (3, 4) facing towards the structure, and each cross-section of the mouth at the surface (2a ') of the layer facing towards the structure (5) Implant layer, characterized in that the diameter (D) is substantially smaller than the respective length (H) of the channel extending downward in the layer as viewed from said surface (2a ').   The channel network (6) extends from the surface (2a ') through at least the majority of the layer (2 "') to the transition (11) from the layer to the body (1") of the implant. Implant layer according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises adjacent channel branches (12, 13, 14, 15).   The channel network (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has channel branches (10) extending in a direction different from the depth direction of the layer or in the radial direction of the implant. Implant layer.   To be established on a wavy or non-uniform surface (3 ') that is present in the implant from the beginning and has a high roughness value, eg 0.4-5 μm, for the purpose of increasing the volume of the layer 4. Implant layer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized.   5. Implant layer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a thickness (T) that gives substantial corrosion resistance to the whole implant.   The channel network (6) is arranged with a mouth configuration (3 ', 4') facing the bone or tissue structure (5), from the mouth to the channel (compared to a conventional oxide layer). Implant layer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the penetration of the bone growth agent can be enhanced.   Implant layer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer has an average thickness in the range of 0.5 to 20 µm, preferably in the range of 2 to 20 µm.   The implant layer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the oxide layer has a roughness in a range of 0.4 to 5 µm on an outer surface thereof. The implant layer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the oxide layer has a high porosity of 1 × 10 ⁷ to 1 × 10 ¹⁰ pores / cm ² . Each surface has pores or channel openings with a diameter or surface size in the range of 0.1-10 μm, and / or the total volume of the channel network or pores is in the range of 5 × 10 ⁻² to 10 ⁻⁵ cm ³ . The implant layer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein   Implant layer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer consists or comprises a titanium oxide layer.   12. Implant layer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the implant comprises a screw implant for application to the jawbone.   Implant layer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer forms a supply station for applied bone growth initiation or bone growth stimulant or substance (17).   14. Implant layer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drug or substance moves from the replenishment site to the bone or tissue structure (5) by concentration diffusion.   An implant (1) for a bone or tissue structure (5), wherein a boundary (s) is formed between the body (1) of the implant and the structure (5) for the purpose of increasing the holding power And in an implant (1) comprising one or more layers (2) having a substantial thickness in this context, a channel network in which each layer gives said layer (2) a substantial porosity ( 6) and the channel network (6) is designed to have a mouth (3, 4) facing towards the structure and a layer facing towards the structure (5) The cross-sectional diameter (D) of each of the mouths on the surface of the channel is substantially smaller than the length (H) of each channel extending downward in the layer as viewed from the surface (2a ′). Implant.   A relatively thick oxide layer (2) is placed on or adjacent to one or more tissues and / or bone growth regions (5) by anodic oxidation on an implant comprising or consisting of titanium. A method for producing on one or more titanium surfaces intended to be deployed, wherein at least a portion supporting the surface is made and immersed in an electrolyte (26), the implant being In a method configured to establish an oxidation process by contacting a counter electrode disposed in the electrolyte (26), which is also in contact with an electrical energy source above the surface of the liquid, and also connected to the energy source. Adding a dilute inorganic acid, dilute organic acid, and / or a small amount of hydrofluoric acid or hydrogen peroxide to the electrolyte composition, and at least the energy source Wherein the selecting to operate 50 volt voltage value, a voltage value in the range, for example, 200 to 400 volts.   17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the voltage (28) is varied from time to time for the same implant in order to form different channel or pore sizes within the same surface area.   In order to form regions of different oxide thickness (T, T ′) and / or different porosity or pore or channel characteristics, the position of the implant in the electrolyte can be determined by the composition and / or voltage of the electrolyte (26). 18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that it is varied together with (28).

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